Police: On trip to hospital, man threatens to knock out officers, paramedics

Manuel Gamiz Jr., Of The Morning Call

A 20-year-old man struggled with Allentown police early Sunday and threatened paramedics and an officer taking him to a hospital, according to court records.

Eric J. Smith of Allentown told paramedics and an Allentown police officer he is a boxer and "I'm going to square up with you and knock you the [expletive] out," according to court records.

Smith was being taken to Sacred Heart Hospital after he complained of an asthma attack following his arrest at 1:50 a.m. in the 600 block of Allen Street, according to court records.

Smith, of the 600 block of Green Street, was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct and sent to Lehigh County Jail under $7,500 bail.

Allentown police said they saw three men running through traffic on North Morris, Allen and North Seventh streets and attempted to stop them. Once they caught up to Smith, he did not comply with orders to stop and reached into his waistband, police said.

He swung his arms and kicked his legs at officers, according to court records. After he was handcuffed and taken to the hospital, he made more threats, police said.

Police said Smith had been in a fight earlier and ran because he thought he was being arrested for that.